This work entitled Cornellian Wake is the result of my research into the collage and processes of Joseph Cornell. Though this work looks nothing like Cornell’s, it is by means of working through a series of drafts and focused simplification that I have come up with this short stereoscopic video.
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The core concepts in my research of Cornell’s work have been the process of creating and destroying associations in order to narrow them down into an interesting and simplified form, and the utilization of pre-existing materials in the construction process. The actual methods of creation and destruction are not meant to be actively portrayed in the work itself and are more so an individuals process used to work through the relationships of what may be presented while reaching the completion of the final work to be presented.
While exploring these concepts I also approached the work of Louise Nevelson, Felipe Jesus Consalvos, and Fluxus. For me, two ideas of Nevelson’s work stood out the most. One of these is the simplified color pallette usually having a monochromatic tone, and the other is the ability of her work to create a new environment through form by holding space in and around her sculptures. This informs my decision to use the work itself as the environment for which it is existing. As with many works of collage, Consalvos’ work includes many layers. This, as well as having the opportunity to view brief clips of Ewa Trebacz‘s work Errai has informed my decision of layering several scene renderings into one. From the Fluxus group I used the approach and philosophy of creating simple works and also works which contain humor and / or fun. This informed my decision in the title Cornellian Wake as well as the bare appearance of the visuals as they stand individually, prior to compositing.
The title is a play on words encompassing my research of Joseph Cornell and the fluctuations of the planar components as they mimic waves. The second aspect to this title addresses the fact that this work looks nothing like a work of Cornell’s despite the work that led up to it, and may be seen as a dead project in terms of relating the intent of the research to verifiable components of the completed work.
By taking the visual information down to a minimum, I see this work as a draft which stands on its own as well as a starting point for future research into how collage methods and associative processes may be incorporated into a three dimensional environment.
